The immersive digital experience for ESPN The Magazine’s ninth annual BODY Issue launched today at www.espn.com/bodyissue. Created in celebration of the athletic form, the issue features 23 world-class athletes from the Olympics, NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL, tennis, and rugby among other sports around the world from Denmark to New Zealand. Photos, videos, and interviews of the athletes are showcased in the unique new digital gallery experience and the issue hits newsstands Friday, July 7.
NBC SPORTS GROUP’S COVERAGE OF 2016 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS BEGINS WEDNESDAY NIGHT WITH THREE GAMES
NBC SPORTS STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF CONFERENCE CALL – TOMORROW AT 1:30 P.M. ET
NBCSN’s Coverage Begins Wednesday with Game 1 Doubleheader
(3) Red Wings-(2) Lightning at 7 p.m. ET; (3) Blackhawks-(2) Blues at 9:30 p.m. ET
USA Network Presents Game 1 of (3) Rangers-(2) Penguins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET
Pre-Game Coverage Begins with NHL Live at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 11, 2016 – NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive coverage of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs begins with three first-round games on Wednesday night, the first night of two months of Stanley Cup Playoff hockey. In order to televise as many as four games on a given day/night during the first round, NBC Sports Group will present matchups on NBC, NBCSN and NHL Network, as well as NBCUniversal’s USA Network, the No. 1 cable entertainment network, and CNBC, NBCUniversal’s business channel. First-round games on cable are subject to local blackouts.
NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will live stream all games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC, all via “TV Everywhere.”
NBC Sports Group’s Game 1 tripleheader begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, when the (2) Tampa Bay Lightning host the (3) Detroit Red Wings, and continues at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network, when the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins host the (3) N.Y. Rangers in a pair of rematches from the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coverage shifts west at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, when the (3) Chicago Blackhawks visit the (2) St. Louis Blues in Game 1 of their first-round series.
Coverage begins Wednesday night at 6 p.m. ET with NHL Live on NBCSN. On most nights of the first round, NBC Sports Group will produce two versions of NHL Live (one for NBCSN, one for USA Network/CNBC) from separate studios at its International Broadcast Center located in Stamford, Conn. NHL Live will feature a combination of hosts Liam McHugh, Kathryn Tappen, and Dave Briggs, and analysts and former players Mike Milbury, Keith Jones, Jeremy Roenick and Anson Carter.
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NBC SPORTS GROUP 2016 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS CONFERENCE CALL – TOMORROW AT 1:30 P.M. ET
NBC Sports Group NHL Live studio analysts and former NHL players Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick, as well as Executive Producer Sam Flood, will preview the upcoming 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs on a media conference call on tomorrow, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Media interested in participating should call 719-457-2648; Passcode: 4723017.
- WHAT: NBC Sports Group 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Call
- WHO: Mike Milbury, Jeremy Roenick, Executive Producer Sam Flood
- WHEN: Tuesday, April 12, at 1:30 p.m. ET
- NUMBER: 719-457-2648
- PASSCODE: 4723017
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GAME 1 BROADCAST TEAMS
NBC Sports Group has announced Game 1 broadcast pairings for the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire will serve as the lead commentary team throughout the postseason and into the Stanley Cup Final. Following are NBC Sports Group’s Game 1 broadcast teams.
| Game 1 Matchup | Play-by-Play | Analysts |
| CHI-STL | Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick | Pierre McGuire |
| DET-TB | Chris Cuthbert | Ray Ferraro |
| NYR-PIT | John Forslund | Brian Boucher |
| PHI-WSH | Jim Jackson | Bill Clement |
| NYI-FLA | Kenny Albert | Pierre McGuire |
| MIN-DAL | Gord Miller | Ray Ferraro |
| SJ-LA | Randy Hahn | Jamie Baker |
| NSH-ANA | John Forslund | Bret Hedican |
NBC Sports Group’s first-round broadcast teams will also include Hockey Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Pat Foley, and analysts Eddie Olczyk and Joe Micheletti.
NBC SPORTS GROUP STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF GAME 1 COVERAGE
WEDNESDAY
(3) DETROIT RED WINGS AT (2) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – GAME 1 ON WEDNESDAY AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Wednesday night’s Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage features a doubleheader on NBCSN, beginning at 7 p.m. ET, when Ben Bishop and the (2) Tampa Bay Lightning host Pavel Datsyuk and the (3) Detroit Red Wings. This marks the second consecutive season these two teams will meet in the first round. Last year, Bishop stopped all 31 shots he faced to propel Tampa Bay to a 2-0 win in a decisive Game 7 of their first-round series. The Red Wings will look to rally around the 37-year-old Datsyuk, who announced that he will leave the Red Wings after the postseason. Chris Cuthbert (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will have the call from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.
(3) NEW YORK RANGERS AT (2) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – GAME 1 AT 8 P.M. ET ON USA NETWORK
USA Network’s coverage begins Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, when Sidney Crosby and the (2) Pittsburgh Penguins host Henrik Lundqvist and the (3) New York Rangers. These rivals will clash in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. In 2014, the Rangers dispatched of the Penguins in seven games in their second-round series, and beat Pittsburgh in five games in their first-round series last year. The Penguins finished the season with a 14-2-0 record in their last 16 games, and defeated the Rangers three times in March. John Forslund (play-by-play) and Brian Boucher (‘Inside-the-Glass) will have the call from CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.
(3) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS AT (2) ST. LOUIS BLUES – GAME 2 ON WEDNESDAY AT 9:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
NBCSN’s Game 1 doubleheader continues with a classic Central Division rivalry at 9:30 p.m. ET, when Patrick Kane and the (3) Chicago Blackhawks visit David Backes and the (2) St. Louis Blues. Kane recorded 106 points this season (46g/60a) to become the first-ever American-born player to lead the NHL in points in a single season, while his linemate Artemi Panarin led all rookies with 77 points (30g/47a). The Blues have been led offensively by Vladimir Tarasenko, who netted 40 goals this season, fourth-best in the league. This is the 12th all-time playoff series between the clubs; Chicago holds an 8-3 series edge, and defeated St. Louis in six games in their 2014 first-round matchup. Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will call the action from Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
THURSDAY
(WC2) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS AT (1) WASHINGTON CAPITALS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Alex Ovechkin and the (1) Washington Capitals renew their rivalry with Claude Giroux and the (WC2) Philadelphia Flyers with a first-round matchup, beginning with Game 1 on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The Capitals earned their third Presidents’ Trophy in seven seasons with a league-leading 120 points, while Philadelphia posted a 15-5-3 record in its last 23 games to clinch the final Wild Card spot in the East. Ovechkin led the league for the fourth consecutive season with 50 goals, the seventh time he’s reached the 50-goal plateau. Jim Jackson (play-by-play) and Bill Clement (analyst) will call the game from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
(WC1) N.Y. ISLANDERS AT (1) FLORIDA PANTHERS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 8 P.M. ET ON CNBC
CNBC’s playoff coverage begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET, when Jaromir Jagr and the (1) Florida Panthers host John Tavares and the (WC1) New York Islanders in the first-ever postseason meeting between the two teams. Florida won the Atlantic Division for only the second time in their history, led by the 44-year-old Jagr, who paced the club with 66 points (27g/39a). Tavares led the Isles with 70 points this season (33g/37a), and enters the postseason on a four-game goal-scoring streak. Both clubs will look to snap long postseason series droughts; the Isles have not won a playoff series since 1993, while Florida has not won a playoff series since 1996. Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass) will provide commentary from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla.
(WC2) MINNESOTA WILD AT (1) DALLAS STARS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 9:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Mikko Koivu and the (WC2) Minnesota Wild begin their first-round series against Jamie Benn and the (1) Dallas Stars on Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Minnesota will look to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the third consecutive season, after a seven-game first-round series win against Colorado in 2014, and a six-game victory against St. Louis last year. The Stars finished the season with the Western Conference’s best record for the first time since the 2002-03 season. Benn led the league in points in the 2014-15 season, and notched 89 points this year (41g/48a) to finish second. This is the first-ever playoff meeting between the Wild and the Stars, who were formerly the Minnesota North Stars before moving to Dallas in 1993. Gord Miller (play-by-play) and Ray Ferraro (‘Inside-the-Glass) will call the action from American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
(3) SAN JOSE SHARKS AT (2) LOS ANGELES KINGS – GAME 1 ON THURSDAY AT 10:30 P.M. ET ON CNBC
The Sharks and Kings face off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the fourth time in the last six seasons, as San Jose aims to avenge its loss to Los Angeles in 2014, when the Kings rattled off four straight wins to erase a 3-0 first-round series deficit en route to their Stanley Cup title. The Sharks are led offensively by Joe Thornton (82 pts) and Joe Pavelski (78 pts), who finished tied for fourth and tied for six place, respectively, in points in the league this season. Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick led the NHL with 68 starts in net, and set a career high with 40 wins. Randy Hahn (play-by-play) and Jamie Baker (‘Inside-the-Glass’) call Game 1 from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif.
FRIDAY
(WC1) NASHVILLE PREDATORS AT (1) ANAHEIM DUCKS – GAME 1 ON FRIDAY AT 10:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Ryan Getzlaf and the Pacific Division-champion (1) Anaheim Ducks kick off their first-round series on Friday night at 10:30 p.m. ET against Shea Weber and the (WC1) Nashville Predators. Anaheim sat in last place in the Pacific Division at the Christmas break before a league-best 34-10-5 record to close out the season and grab the division crown. Nashville returns to the postseason for the second consecutive year, led by forward Filip Forsberg, who notched 34 points (19g/15a) in his last 30 games. This marks the second all-time playoff meeting between the two clubs; Nashville defeated Anaheim in the 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals in six games. John Forslund (play-by-play) and Bret Hedican (‘Inside-the-Glass’) will have the call from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Following is NBC Sports Group’s Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round television schedule through Wed., April 20. Dates for potential Game 5, 6 and 7 matchups have been determined, but not television networks or times. (NOTE: Games airing on NBCSN, USA Network, CNBC and NHL Network are subject to local blackouts in the first round; all times ET and subject to change):
| Date | Coverage | Network | Time (ET) |
| Wed., April 13 | Game 1 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
| Game 1 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh | USA Network | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 1 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
| Thu., April 14 | Game 1 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
| Game 1 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida | CNBC | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 1 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
| Game 1 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles | CNBC | 10:30 p.m. | |
| Fri., April 15 | Game 2 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay | CNBC | 7 p.m. |
| Game 2 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida | NHL Network | 7:30 p.m. | |
| Game 2 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 1 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
| Sat., April 16 | Game 2 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh | NBC | 3 p.m. |
| Game 2 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington | CNBC | 7 p.m. | |
| Game 2 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 2 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
| Sun., April 17 | Game 3 – (2) St. Louis at (3) Chicago | NBC | 3 p.m. |
| Game 3 – (2) Tampa Bay at (3) Detroit | CNBC | 7 p.m. | |
| Game 3 – (1) Florida at (WC1) N.Y. Islanders | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 2 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
| Mon., April 18 | Game 3 – (1) Washington at (WC2) Philadelphia | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
| Game 3 – (1) Dallas at (WC2) Minnesota** | CNBC | 8:30 p.m. | |
| Game 3 – (2) Los Angeles at (3) San Jose | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
| Tues., April 19 | Game 4 – (2) Tampa Bay at (3) Detroit | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
| Game 3 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) N.Y. Rangers | USA Network | 7 p.m. | |
| Game 4 – (2) St. Louis at (3) Chicago | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
| Game 3 – (1) Anaheim at (WC1) Nashville | USA Network | 9:30 p.m. | |
| Wed., April 20 | Game 4 – (1) Washington at (WC2) Philadelphia | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
| Game 4 – (1) Florida at (WC1) N.Y. Islanders | USA Network | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 4 – (1) Dallas at (WC2) Minnesota | NBCSN | 9:30 p.m. | |
| Game 4 – (2) Los Angeles at (3) San Jose | USA Network | 10:30 p.m. | |
| Thur., April 21 | Game 5 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay* | TBD | 7 p.m. |
| Game 4 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) N.Y. Rangers | TBD | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 4 – (1) Anaheim at (WC1) Nashville | TBD | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 5 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis* | TBD | TBD | |
| Fri., April 22 | Game 5 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida* | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington* | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 5 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas* | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 5 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles | TBD | TBD | |
| Sat., April 23 | Game 5 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh* | TBD | 3 p.m. |
| Game 6 – (2) St. Louis at (3) Chicago* | TBD | 8 p.m. | |
| Game 5 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim* | TBD | TBD | |
| Sun., April 24 | Game 6 – (2) Tampa Bay at (3) Detroit* | TBD | 12:30 p.m. |
| Game 6 – (1) Washington at (WC2) Philadelphia* | TBD | 3 p.m. | |
| Game 6 – (1) Florida at (WC1) N.Y. Islanders* | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 6 – (1) Dallas at (WC2) Minnesota* | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 6 – (2) Los Angeles at (3) San Jose* | TBD | TBD | |
| Mon., April 25 | Game 6 – (2) Pittsburgh at (3) N.Y. Rangers* | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 – (3) Chicago at (2) St. Louis* | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 6 – (1) Anaheim at (WC1) Nashville* | TBD | TBD | |
| Tues, April 26 | Game 7 – (3) Detroit at (2) Tampa Bay* | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 – (WC1) N.Y. Islanders at (1) Florida* | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 7 – (WC2) Minnesota at (1) Dallas* | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 7 – (3) San Jose at (2) Los Angeles* | TBD | TBD | |
| Wed., April 27 | Game 7 – (WC2) Philadelphia at (1) Washington* | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 – (3) N.Y. Rangers at (2) Pittsburgh | TBD | TBD | |
| Game 7 – (WC1) Nashville at (1) Anaheim | TBD | TBD |
*if necessary
**NBCSN will join in progress following Flyers-Capitals game.
COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL COVERAGE
Through the NBC Sports Regional Networks, comprehensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be provided daily via NBC Sports Regional Networks, available in more than 43 million U.S. households. NBC Sports Regional Networks serve the hometown fans of the Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Washington Capitals. In-depth coverage for those teams advancing to the postseason includes exclusive regional coverage of first-round games, pre- and post-game shows, and extensive on-line coverage via CSN’s team of NHL Insiders.
For teams that advance past the first round, NBC Sports Regional Networks will deliver extensive pre- and post-game coverage as well as breaking news and analysis throughout each team’s playoff run.
NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA COVERAGE
NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs — will stream 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff coverage via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra.
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–
#LCo5KSC: ESPN’s Linda Cohn to Anchor Record 5,000th SportsCenter
No SportsCenter Anchor Has Done More; Milestone Show Set for Feb. 21
A fixture on SportsCenter for nearly a quarter of a century, Linda Cohn will reach a milestone with ESPN’s signature news and information program in February.
Cohn, who has hosted more editions of SportsCenter than anyone in the 36-year history of the program, will anchor her 5,000th show on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 8 a.m. ET on ESPN. More than 60,000 SportsCenters have aired since ESPN was launched in September of 1979.
“Congratulations to Linda on the momentous occasion of her 5,000th SportsCenter,” said John Skipper, ESPN president and co-chairman, Disney Media Networks. “It is a remarkable achievement. In her 23 years at ESPN, she has been one of the defining personalities of SportsCenter. The quality of her work and commitment has distinguished ESPN and made her one of the preeminent sportscasters of her time. She is an unsung pioneer though not to be unsung today.”
Cohn anchored her first SportsCenter on July 11, 1992, a 2 a.m. program in which she was paired with former ESPN anchor Chris Myers, now with Fox Sports.
“It’s just an amazing journey that I’ve been very fortunate to have been on for 23 years,” said Cohn. “As players and athletes always say, they don’t look at a number or body of work until that body of work is over, that’s how I kind of compare it. I don’t even think about the number.”
Cohn is now most often seen hosting weekend morning editions of SportsCenter (10 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday). She also reports from events, as she will do from Sunday’s NHL All-Star Game in Nashville, and contributes features, including an in-depth interview with legendary NHL player Jaromir Jagr of the Florida Panthers airing this week and a recent piece on Arizona Coyotes rookie Max Domi and his service dog.
During her career at ESPN, the versatile Cohn has hosted, reported, commentated, interviewed, written and called play-by-play. She also has appeared in many of ESPN’s iconic “This Is SportsCenter” commercials. A partial list of events, sports and assignments Cohn has had for ESPN in addition to anchoring 5,000 SportCenters:
| Hosting | Reporting Assignments |
| Baseball Tonight | NFL Draft |
| WNBA Draft | MLB Playoffs |
| National Hockey Night | Sunday NFL Countdown |
| nhl2night | Men’s Final Four |
| rpm2night | NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs |
| ESPN Radio NFL Sunday | NHL All-Star Game |
| SportsCenter at NBA All-Star Game | NHL Winter Classic |
| NASCAR Chase on ESPNEWS | X Games, Winter X Games |
| ESPN NY 98.7 New York Rangers broadcasts | |
| Writing | |
| Play-by-Play Assignments | ESPN the Magazine column |
| WNBA Games | |
| LPGA golf | Misc. |
| ESPN Radio commentaries | |
| Podcast |
Cohn’s early career included both radio and television, starting in local radio in 1981 in Patchogue, N.Y., on her native Long Island She became the first full-time female sports anchor on a national radio network (ABC) in 1987. Her first TV work was with WLIG-TV on Long Island as a part-time anchor and reporter, and before coming to ESPN, she was a sports anchor/reporter for KIRO-TV in Seattle.
A hockey goalie in both high school and college, and still an ardent follower of the sport, Cohn in 2008, wrote and released Cohn-Head: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Breaking Into the Boys’ Club, a book about the challenges of her career, her life inside ESPN, sports personalities she has met/interviewed and more.
As far as she is concerned, Cohn would like to do many more shows.
“I just figure, hey, I’m going to work each day doing what I love to do,” she said. “There will be plenty of time to look back and say ‘wow, did I really do that many SportsCenters?’”
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Media contact: andy.hall@espn.com
ALEX OVECHKIN AND WASHINGTON CAPITALS HOST SIDNEY CROSBY AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ON NBCSN’S “WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY”
Wednesday Night Rivalry – Penguins-Capitals – Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN
Wednesday Nightcap – Predators-Sharks – Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET, Immediately Following Penguins-Capitals
Steven Stamkos and Tampa Bay Lightning Visit David Backes and St. Louis Blues Tomorrow Night at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN
STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 26, 2015 – Two iconic NHL superstars go head-to-head in one of this generation’s best player rivalries on Wednesday night, when Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday Night Rivalry at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
Penguins-Capitals on Wednesday Night Rivalry kicks off a doubleheader on NBCSN, followed by Joe Pavelski and the San Jose Sharks hosting Filip Forsberg and the Nashville Predators at 10:30 p.m. ET in the Wednesday Nightcap.
Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick and Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire will have the call of Penguins-Capitals. Randy Hahn (play-by-play) and Jamie Baker (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst) will provide commentary for Predators-Sharks.
This week’s coverage kicks off tomorrow night at 8 p.m. ET, when David Backes and the St. Louis Blues host Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
NHL Live begins at 7 p.m. ET tomorrow and Wednesday. Kathryn Tappen will anchor tomorrow’s coverage alongside analysts and former NHL players Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, and Liam McHugh will host Wednesday’s studio coverage with Milbury and Jones. NHL insider Bob McKenzie will join NBCSN’s Wednesday Night Rivalry coverage to provide the latest in-depth news from around the league.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY: PENGUINS-CAPITALS – WEDNESDAY AT 8 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
The Capitals enter their Wednesday Night Rivalry showdown against the Penguins looking for their sixth consecutive win. Washington has posted a 6-1-0 record to start the 2015 campaign, and has outscored opponents 24-10 during its five-game winning streak. In their most recent outing, Evgeny Kuznetsov recorded his first career hat trick and added two assists in a 7-4 win over the Oilers in Edmonton. The Penguins have notched points in four of their last five games after a 0-3 start this season. Pittsburgh defeated Nashville 2-1 on Saturday night, courtesy of newcomer Phil Kessel’s game-winner 41 seconds into overtime. In their last Wednesday Night Rivalry showdown, Evgeni Malkin recorded three assists in Pittsburgh’s 4-3 win on Feb. 25, 2015 at the Verizon Center.
After meeting five times in the Stanley Cup Playoffs from 1991 to 1996, the rivalry between the Penguins and Capitals was reignited in their seven-game Conference Semifinals matchup in 2009. Ovechkin recorded 14 points for the highest single-series point total since 1995 to narrowly outscore Crosby (13 points), but the Penguins ultimately won the series in seven games en route to their Stanley Cup title. The two teams were featured in the 2011 Winter Classic in Pittsburgh, which stands as the most-watched NHL game since 1975 with 4.5 million viewers.
Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst) will have the call from the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTCAP – PREDATORS-SHARKS – WEDNESDAY AT 10:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
NBCSN’s coast-to-coast Wednesday doubleheader heads west to San Jose at 10:30 p.m. ET when the Sharks host the Predators. Nashville has jumped out to the early Western Conference lead with a 6-1-1 record through eight games, led by strong play in net by Pekka Rinne, who boasts a 1.84 goals against average in seven appearances. The Sharks are coming off a 5-2 victory at home over the Carolina Hurricanes, in which Joel Ward notched his second career hat trick.
Randy Hahn (play-by-play) and Jamie Baker (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst) will provide commentary from SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
LIGHTNING-BLUES – TUESDAY NIGHT AT 8 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
This week’s NHL coverage begins in St. Louis tomorrow night with an interconference matchup between the Lightning and Blues. Both teams earned points in their most recent games via overtime losses. Tampa Bay enters tomorrow night’s contest following three straight overtime games, including their 1-0 overtime loss in Chicago on Saturday night. The Blues also dropped their most recent decision in overtime by a score of 3-2 to the New York Islanders.
Kenny Albert (play-by-play) and Pierre McGuire (‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst) will have the call from Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
Following is this week’s NHL coverage on NBCSN:
| Date | Coverage | Network | Time (ET) |
| Tues., October 27 | NHL Live | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
| Tampa Bay at St. Louis | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
| NHL Overtime | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m.* | |
| Wed., October 28 | NHL Live | NBCSN | 7 p.m. |
| Wednesday Night Rivalry – Pittsburgh at Washington | NBCSN | 8 p.m. | |
| Wednesday Nightcap – Nashville at San Jose | NBCSN | 10:30 p.m. | |
| NHL Overtime | NBCSN | 1 a.m.* |
*immediately following game coverage
2015-16 REGULAR SEASON COVERAGE ON NBC & NBCSN
NBC Sports Group will deliver coverage of 105 NHL regular-season games during the 2015-16 season, featuring 12 games on NBC and 93 games on NBCSN. All games will be streamed live via NBC Sports Live Extra. This year’s coverage includes 24 Wednesday Night Rivalry games, 6 Wednesday Nightcaps, 12 Sunday Night Hockey contests, and NHL All-Star coverage.
Click here for more information on NBC Sports Group’s comprehensive NHL coverage this season.
NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS
NBC Sports Regional Networks, which serve top NHL markets such as Boston (Bruins), Philadelphia (Flyers), Washington D.C. (Capitals), Chicago (Blackhawks) and the Bay Area (Sharks), will air more than 300 live NHL games and surround the 2015-16 NHL season with in-depth news, analysis and original programming on the teams that matter most.
-NBC SPORTS GROUP-
NHL Network Unveils New On-Air Talent Lineup for 2015-16 Season; Analysts Include Biron, Boucher, Hradek, Johnson, MacLean, Reid, Rupp, Smith, Stevens, Tortorella & Weekes
NHL NETWORK UNVEILS NEW ON-AIR TALENT LINEUP FOR 2015-16 SEASON
Analysts Include Biron, Boucher, Hradek, Johnson, MacLean, Reid, Rupp, Smith, Stevens, Tortorella & Weekes
Live Studio Programming Begins Monday, October 5
SECAUCUS, N.J. (Sept. 22, 2015) – With 15 days to go until the start of the 2015-16 NHL regular season, NHL Network today announced the on-air talent lineup for its three signature studio shows, NHL Live™ Powered By Constellation, NHL Tonight™ and On The Fly™.
The roster of analysts includes longtime NHL Network personalities E.J. Hradek and veteran goaltender Kevin Weekes, plus Hall of Famer and three-time Stanley Cup champion Scott Stevens, 20-year veteran and two-time Stanley Cup winner John MacLean, two-time Stanley Cup champion Dave Reid, 2003 Stanley Cup winner Mike Rupp, longtime NHL executive and GM of the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning New York Rangers Neil Smith, 14-year head coach, 2004 Stanley Cup champion and Team USA 2016 World Cup head coach John Tortorella, and 16-year veteran Martin Biron, 15-year veteran Brian Boucher, and 12-year veteran Mike Johnson. The accomplishments among the group of former players, GMs and coaches include a combined 11 Stanley Cup championships, 74 Playoff appearances and over 6,800 career NHL games played.
Beginning on Monday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m. ET, NHL Live will be anchored by returning hosts Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek. NHL Tonight, NHL Network’s flagship program, will be hosted by former NESN anchor Jamison Coyle and former NHL.com and CBS Sports Radio voice Tony Luftman, with interviews and comprehensive highlights, look-ins and analysis of every game. On The Fly, revamped for the 2015-16 season as NHL Network’s nightly game recap show, will be hosted by former Fox Sports North host and reporter Jamie Hersch. Veteran NHL Network host Kathryn Tappen will appear across NHL Network programming after the new year.
Additional on-air talent bio information is available below, and further details on NHL Network’s programming schedule is available on www.nhlnetwork.com.
About NHL Network: As the TV home for the National Hockey League, NHL Network™ gives viewers an all-access pass to complete hockey coverage both on and off the ice, including live NHL games and special on-site coverage of NHL events, plus three signature studio shows, interviews, highlights and expert analysis from a variety of hockey insiders and former players. Additional programming includes behind-the-scenes features, player profiles and international and amateur hockey competitions. For more information on NHL Network, log on to nhlnetwork.com or follow @NHLNetwork on Twitter.
9/22/15
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NHL NETWORK ON-AIR PERSONALITIES
Martin Biron, analyst: Biron recorded more than 200 wins and posted a .910 goals against average in his 16 seasons as an NHL goaltender. In addition to goaltending for all three New York based teams in his career, Biron led the Philadelphia Flyers to the playoffs in 2008 and 2009. Biron has previously served as an analyst for NHL Network and TSN.
Brian Boucher, analyst: A 15-year NHL goaltending veteran, Boucher set the modern day record for the longest shutout streak of 332 minutes and 1 second, spanning five games as a member of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2002. In addition to prior work as an analyst on NHL Network, Boucher most recently served as a hockey analyst for NBC Sports and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.
Jamison Coyle, host: Having most recently been a studio host and reporter at New England Sports Network for NESN Daily as well as Hockey East, Coyle will serve as a host of NHL Tonight, as well as in-game updates and various other NHL Network programming.
Jamie Hersch, host: Hersch most recently served as a host and sideline reporter for Fox Sports North’s coverage of the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Twins, spending three seasons hosting the pregame and postgame shows for Wild broadcasts, including extensive coverage of the Wild’s playoff runs from 2013-2015. Hersch also covered hockey for the Big Ten Network. Hersch will regularly host NHL Network’s nightly highlights show On The Fly.
E.J. Hradek, analyst: Hradek joined NHL Network/NHL.com in May 2011, working across the League’s multiple media platforms. He serves as the co-host for NHL Live and also pens the “Tuesday 10” column for NHL.com, which covers the top 10 stories from the week in hockey. Prior to arriving at NHL Network, Hradek spent 13 years as a Senior Writer for ESPN The Magazine and was part of the original staff that helped launch the magazine in March 1998. From 1996-98, Hradek served as a part-time pro scout for the Dallas Stars.
Mike Johnson, analyst: Johnson is a 12-year NHL veteran, who was selected to NHL All-Rookie team for the 1997 – 1998 season, when he scored 15 goals and added 32 assists as a forward. The following season, Johnson scored 20 goals for the Maple Leafs, a mark he would reach again for the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2002 – 2003 season. Johnson has previously served as an analyst on NHL Network and will continue to work as a hockey analyst at Sportsnet.
Tony Luftman, host: Luftman was most recently a digital host for NHL.com and served as an on-air talent on CBS Sports Radio. At NHL Network, Luftman will serve as a host of NHL Tonight, as well as in-game updates and various other NHL Network programming.
John MacLean, analyst: MacLean is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils, winning his first as a player in 1995 and his second as an assistant coach in 2003. He spent the first 15 of his 20 NHL seasons (1983 – 2002) with the Devils and was selected to two NHL All-Star Games in 1989 and 1991 as a forward. In addition to prior work as an analyst on NHL Network, MacLean most recently served as a hockey analyst for MSG Networks, including the pre- and postgame coverage for the Devils, a role he will continue again this season.
Steve Mears, host: Mears joined NHL Network in February 2013, and serves as the co-host of NHL Live. Mears previously covered the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final for NHL Network, as well as 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship games played by the United States. Prior to NHL Network, Mears worked for four seasons on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ radio and TV game broadcasts, as well as three seasons as the radio play-by-play voice of the New York Islanders.
Dave Reid, analyst: Two-time Stanley Cup winner Reid tallied 369 points in 961 career NHL games and was a key contributor to the 1999 Stanley Cup champion Stars and the 2001 Stanley Cup champion Avalanche. Following his playing career, Reid served as an analyst for NHL Network and has contributed to TSN’s hockey coverage.
Mike Rupp, analyst: Rupp is a 14-year NHL veteran, who scored the clinching goal for the New Jersey Devils in Game Seven of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final against the Anaheim Ducks. In addition to the Stanley Cup run with the Devils, Rupp skated in the playoffs as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild. Rupp has previously served as an analyst on NHL Network.
Neil Smith, analyst: A longtime NHL executive, Smith was the general manager of the 1994 Stanley Cup champion New York Rangers. The Rangers’ championship was their first in 54 years, led by captain Mark Messier, whom Smith acquired in 1991 from the Edmonton Oilers. In addition to prior work as an analyst on NHL Network, Smith most recently served as a hockey analyst for Sportsnet.
Scott Stevens, analyst: Across the span of his 22-year career, Stevens served as captain of three Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils teams in 1995, 2000 and 2003. Stevens, who skated in over 1,600 regular season games, never recorded a negative plus/minus rating in any of his 22 seasons as a defenseman. Stevens was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy in 2000 and was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007 in his first year of eligibility.
Kathryn Tappen, host: Tappen joined NHL Network in 2011 and currently provides coverage of the NHL’s signature events, including the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, NHL All-Star Game, Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final, as well as other NHL Network programs. Tappen also serves as a host and reporter for NBC Sports’ coverage of the NHL, NFL and Notre Dame Football. Prior to her time at NHL Network, Tappen was the weekend anchor and weekday sports reporter at WJAR-NBC in Providence, RI, and was a studio host and anchor at New England Sports Network for Boston Bruins games and for SportsDesk.
John Tortorella, analyst: A 14-year NHL head coach, Tortorella led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship. Tortorella was the head coach of the Lightning, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks in his career (1999 – 2014), which was highlighted by eight different trips to the playoffs. Tortorella, ranks first on the NHL’s all-times wins list among American-born coaches, with more than 400 victories in 936 career regular season games. Tortorella will serve as the head coach of Team USA at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Kevin Weekes, analyst: An NHL Network analyst since 2009, Weekes is an 11-year NHL goaltending veteran, who played in 348 regular season games as a member of the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. Weekes, who was drafted by the Panthers in 1993, led the Hurricanes to the 2002 Stanley Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings.
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One of the NHL’s Most-Historic Rivalries Takes Centerstage at the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium
Information on Exclusive Ticket Pre-Sale to Be Released in the Coming Days
A Special Alumni Game Featuring Legends from the Bruins and Canadiens to be Played at Gillette Stadium Dec. 31
NEW YORK (July 29, 2015) – Representatives from the National Hockey League, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, New England Patriots, National Hockey League Players’ Association and Bridgestone gathered today at Gillette Stadium to detail plans for the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. In January, the NHL announced that the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® will feature the Bruins and Canadiens at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on New Year’s Day, 2016. The event will be televised live on NBC, Sportsnet and TVA Sports at 1 p.m. ET.
When these long-time rivals meet, Boston will become the first Club to host the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® for a second time, after defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime of the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® at Fenway Park. It will mark the first time the Canadiens will play in the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®, and just the second time a Canadian-based NHL team will play in the game, following the Toronto Maple Leafs’ appearance in 2014.
“After more than nine decades and more than 900 regular-season or playoff games between these great rivals, the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens will add to the legend of their competition in a unique way,” National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We couldn’t be happier that our third Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® between ‘Original Six’ teams will take place at Gillette Stadium, home of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.”
Information on an exclusive ticket pre-sale for Bruins season-ticket holders, Canadiens season-ticket holders and Patriots season-ticket holders will be sent to those groups by each club in the coming days. This opportunity is for a limited number of tickets to the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Information regarding ticket availability for the general public will be released at a later date.
Additionally it was announced today that legendary players from both the Bruins and Canadiens will participate in a special alumni game at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 31, a day prior to the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®. Fan-favorites will return to the ice to represent these historic organizations one more time and revive the history this great NHL rivalry.
The special pre-sale package offering is a ticket to the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® and a ticket to the Dec. 31 alumni game.
“The Boston Bruins are honored to once again host the Winter Classic,” Delaware North Chairman and Boston Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs said. “Gillette Stadium is a magnificent setting for this storied rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens, and the NHL could not have delivered a better matchup for our fans. We look forward to a great game.”
“The Boston Bruins are one of our oldest rivals and the history between our two clubs is unparalleled,” said Canadiens Owner, President, and CEO, Geoff Molson. “They were our logical opponent for our Centennial game in December 2009, and to make history together once more by returning to hockey’s roots in an outdoor setting is something everyone throughout our organization is greatly anticipating. That the setting for the game will be Gillette Stadium, home to an iconic franchise like the New England Patriots, only adds to what we’re certain will be an incredible and memorable atmosphere for players and fans alike.”
The Bruins and Canadiens have faced off 729 times during the regular season, tied for the most head-to-head meetings by any two teams in NHL history (Chicago-Detroit). Their 177 head-to-head playoff games and 34 postseason series also are the most in League history, while their nine head-to-head Game 7s lead all teams in North American major professional sports (includes MLB, NBA and NHL).
The 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® will showcase a number of the top players in the NHL.
Four Bruins players remain from the team that faced off against the Flyers at Fenway Park in 2010: captain Zdeno Chara forward David Krejci, goaltender Tuukka Rask and forward Patrice Bergeron, who at the 2015 NHL Awards won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the League’s top defensive forward for the third time in four years. Canadiens goaltender Carey Price One of the NHL’s Most-Historic Rivalries Takes Centerstage at the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium was an historic four-time winner at the 2015 NHL Awards, capturing the Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Vezina Trophy and a share of the William M. Jennings Trophy. Price, who became the first goaltender ever to sweep these four awards in the same season, will be joined by teammates P.K. Subban, and Max Pacioretty as well as Lynnfield, Mass.,-native Brian Flynn.
“Showcasing this great rivalry between two Original Six clubs with the Bridgestone Winter Classic® on New Year’s Day, will make for a very memorable game for the players as well as the many sports fans in attendance at Gillette Stadium and those watching on TV,” said Steve Webb, NHLPA Divisional Player Representative.
Gillette Stadium, home of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, is New England’s premier sports, entertainment and event venue. Since it opened in 2002, the 68,756-seat stadium has regularly hosted marquee sporting events, including three of the last four AFC Championship games, as well as the largest concert tours in the U.S.
“It is a true honor and privilege to host the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®,” New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. “Since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002, we have been fortunate to host many special and memorable events. We are thrilled that the NHL and the Bruins wanted to bring a Bruins-Canadiens NHL Winter Classic to our stadium.”
The Bridgestone brand, the Official Tire of the NHL and NHLPA, returns as title sponsor for the seventh consecutive event. In less than a decade, the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® has become a major event on the North American sporting calendar, with a tradition of excellence, passion, excitement and fun for those in attendance and watching from home. Five of the six most-watched NHL regular-season games in the U.S. since 1975 are Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® games. The 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® remains the largest audience ever for an NHL regular-season game in Canadian broadcast history.
“The 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® at Gillette Stadium marks the seventh year the Bridgestone brand will serve as title sponsor of this great event, and with each passing year it continues to excite and impress all of us at Bridgestone,” said Phil Pacsi, Vice President of Sports/Events Marketing and Training at Bridgestone Americas. “This game is something every hockey fan looks forward to, and Bridgestone is proud to be involved with this year’s Original Six match up.”
The NHL today also released the official event logo and special team logos for the 2016 Bridgestone Winter Classic®.
NHL Network™ and NHL.com will provide extensive coverage live from the event leading up to and after the game. NHL Social™ will have exclusive coverage on all social platforms, including the use of the hashtag #WinterClassic.
Additionally, the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® will be available live via NBC Sports Live Extra and Rogers NHL GameCentre LIVE.
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2015 STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTES & QUOTES – TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Game 3
STAMFORD, Conn. – June 8, 2015 – NBC Sports Group continued its exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final tonight with Game 3 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning on NBCSN, in which the Lightning defeated the Blackhawks by a score of 3-2 and gained a 2-1 lead in the series.
Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator and Sports Illustrated 2014 Media Person of the Year Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning Inside-the-Glass analyst Pierre McGuire had the call of Game 3 tonight from the United Center in Chicago, Ill.
Coverage began at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live led by host Dave Briggs, alongside analysts Jeremy Roenick, Anson Carter and Brian Boucher on-set outside of the United Center. Coverage shifted inside the arena at 7:15 p.m. ET with host Liam McHugh, who was joined by analysts Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, and NHL insider Bob McKenzie.
Tonight’s pre-game coverage also featured an interview with McHugh and top prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft (projected No. 1 and No. 2 overall) Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. In addition, Briggs and Roenick interviewed six-time Stanley Cup Champion Mark Messier on-set outside of the United Center.
NHL Live on NBCSN (6:30-8 p.m. ET)
Anson Carter on Lightning goaltenders Ben Bishop and Andrei Vasilevskiy: “The guys are not worried. This team is 7-3 on the road. Whether Bishop is in the net or Vasilevskiy, it’s not going to make a difference.”
Jeremy Roenick on Patrick Kane: “Patrick Kane is one of the most electrifying players on the planet. There is only so much you can do to try and stop him. If you give him a little space, he is going to kill you.”
Brian Boucher on Andrei Vasilevskiy: “This guy is the goaltender of the future. He is going to be a great goaltender in this league.”
Click here for McHugh’s interview with McDavid and Eichel
Game 1 on NBC (8 p.m. ET)
First Period
Olczyk on the start of the game: “The quicker team right now is the visitors. The home team has no response right now as far as the quickness and pace of this game.”
First Intermission
Milbury on the Lightning’s defense: “Tampa is missing the aggressiveness they had when they started the game. A little pressure wouldn’t hurt, but they continued to stay soft until Chicago did their damage.”
Jones on Ben Bishop: “I’d be very concerned. I didn’t like the way he got up after the first goal. He didn’t look that confident leaving the ice for the dressing room. Clearly he’s gutting it out.”
Second Period
Olczyk on Nikita Kucherov: “Outstanding period for Nikita Kucherov. Three shots, all in this period. When he has been on the ice, the puck has been finding him.”
Olczyk on Brandon Saad’s contact with Ben Bishop: “You have to try to make every possibly maneuver to avoid contact with the goaltender. Yes, he’s (Saad) being pushed, yes he is going in the blue paint, but the hands of Saad made contact with Bishop. If you try to avoid contact, and make contact, there is a good chance the officials will not call it. It’s a bang-bang play and I believe it’s the right call on the ice.”
Second Intermission
Jones on Ben Bishop: “He doesn’t look fine and yes his coach is gambling. And so far the gamble is paying off.”
Milbury on Corey Crawford: “This guys has been solid. He’s a Stanley Cup winning goaltender and he’s acting like it.”
Third Period
Olczyk on second goal by the Lightning: “What a response by the Lightning. Everyone in the building was still watching the replay of Chicago’s goal, and Tampa comes right back.”
McGuire on Victor Hedman: “He’s a major reason why Tampa Bay’s future is so bright.”
Emrick on the end of the game: “Ben Bishop stood tall, after apparently being shaken up earlier. Tampa Bay wins.”
Post-Game
Jones on the Lightning: “There is a lot to like about the way the Tampa Bay Lightning are playing. A perfect road game performance.”
Milbury on the Lightning: “They have been the better team, for the first three games, most of the time.”
Jones on the Blackhawks: “The story of this game for the Blackhawks will be missed opportunities.”
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING IN 2015 STANLEY CUP FINAL
Western Conference Final Game 7 Notes and Quotes
Blackhawks Advance to Third Stanley Cup Final in Six Years with 5-3 Win Over Anaheim Ducks in Game 7
Stanley Cup Final Game 1 – Blackhawks at Lightning – Wednesday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC
STAMFORD, Conn. – May 30, 2015 – The Chicago Blackhawks advanced to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final with a 5-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 7 tonight on NBC. Marian Hossa scored the eventual game-winning goal for Chicago, while goaltender Corey Crawford made 35 saves.
Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator and Sports Illustrated 2014 Media Person of the Year Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning Inside-the-Glass analyst Pierre McGuire called tonight’s Game 7 matchup. NBC and NBCSN’s NHL Live studio team featured host Liam McHugh, and analysts Mike Milbury, Keith Jones and Brian Boucher.
Following are quotes from tonight’s Game 7 coverage between the Blackhawks and Ducks:
PRE-GAME
Keith Jones on the series and the matchup: “I can’t wait for it to start. I don’t want it to end. I’m hoping for overtime tonight.”
Mike Milbury on Ryan Kesler in Game 7: “This is the moment that he was brought in for. This is the moment he is meant to make a difference for the Anaheim Ducks. This is the guy who is going to help them win a Stanley Cup.”
Doc Emrick on Game 7: “The best of seven has reached seven. It’s the Blackhawks against the Ducks. What a series it has been.”
FIRST PERIOD
Emrick on first period: “Many who paid the price of admission would not have guessed a start like this. Yet, this is certainly not the finish.”
FIRST INTERMISSION
Jones on Joel Quenneville’s line-change 3 seconds into the first Period: “He has done an amazing job to start this game. Quenneville quickly gets the matchup he wants. The Chicago Blackhawks do a great job defensively, then Toews goes down the other end and scores a huge goal against the Getzlaf line.”
SECOND PERIOD
Pierre McGuire on the Blackhawks: “Their bench is well orchestrated right now. They are like an unbelievable symphony working perfectly in concert with each other.”
Eddie Olczyk on goal by Ryan Kesler: “The Ducks have a little bit of life. Very late. VERY late in the second period.”
SECOND INTERMISSION
Jones on Ryan Getzlaf: “Horrible. He’s going to be livid. He’s going to be livid with himself. Ryan Getzlaf has been at his absolute worst in this game. He’s an outstanding player who is having an awful night.”
Milbury on Corey Crawford: “He has been terrific. He’s been solid except for one miscue. This game needed some big saves early, and Corey Crawford was able to deliver. He looks like a Hungry Hippo down there.”
THIRD PERIOD
McGuire on goal by Brent Seabrook: “Every time there’s a big goal scored by Chicago, seemingly 7 in white is in the picture.”
Emrick on the Blackhawks: “It is the killer instinct that teams talk about. The Blackhawks have it. Much of it has come from the experience of being this deep, this many times.”
Emrick on the Stanley Cup Final: “The Blackhawks will face the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final of 2015.”
Emrick on the Ducks: “For the Ducks there is nothing to do now but rest, recover and come back in the fall.”
POST GAME
Jones on Jonathan Toews: “It’s remarkable to watch him play. He’s not the biggest guy in the league, he’s not the most skilled guy in the league, but he’s the best guy in the league when it comes to clutch moments.”
Milbury on Jonathan Toews: “The consistent level of excellence is unmatched in any player I’ve ever seen. Every time the Blackhawks need something to happen, Toews seems to be in the middle of it.”
Milbury on Duncan Keith: “Duncan Keith to me has been as good as he’s ever been. Showing his quickness, showing his experience, showing his all-around skill.”
The Stanley Cup Final begins Wednesday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, when the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The Lightning return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2004, while the Blackhawks advance to their third Stanley Cup Final in six years.
Following is NBC Sports Group’s television schedule for the 2015 Stanley Cup Final:
| Date | Game | Teams | Network | Time (ET) |
| Wed., June 3 | Stanley Cup Final – Game 1 | Chicago at Tampa Bay | NBC | 8 p.m. |
| Sat., June 6 | Stanley Cup Final – Game 2^ | Chicago at Tampa Bay | NBC | 7:15 p.m. |
| Mon., June 8 | Stanley Cup Final – Game 3 | Tampa Bay at Chicago | NBCSN | 8 p.m. |
| Wed., June 10 | Stanley Cup Final – Game 4 | Tampa Bay at Chicago | NBCSN | 8 p.m. |
| Sat., June 13 | Stanley Cup Final – Game 5* | Chicago at Tampa Bay | NBC | 8 p.m. |
| Mon., June 15 | Stanley Cup Final – Game 6* | Tampa Bay at Chicago | NBC | 8 p.m. |
| Wed., June 17 | Stanley Cup Final – Game 7* | Chicago at Tampa Bay | NBC | 8 p.m. |
*if necessary ^following coverage of The Belmont Stakes
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–
NBC SPORTS GROUP LAUNCHES NBC SPORTS FILMS
New Initiative Will Produce Sports Documentaries to Air Across NBC Sports Group’s Multiple Platforms
Debut Project Center of Attention: The Unreal Life of Derek Sanderson to Premiere Monday, June 8 on NBCSN, Following Game 3 of 2015 Stanley Cup Final
One-Hour Documentary Chronicles Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion’s Journey from World’s Highest-Paid Athlete to Homeless Alcoholic to Respected Financial Adviser
Center of Attention Features Interviews With Eight Hockey Hall of Famers Including Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito
Boston Native, Emmy Award-Nominee and Mad Men Star John Slattery Narrates Center of Attention
Stamford, Conn – May 27, 2015 – NBC Sports Group announced today the launch of NBC Sports Films, a new initiative that will leverage NBC Olympics’ Emmy Award-winning storytelling heritage and personnel to produce sports documentaries that will air across NBC Sports Group’s multiple platforms. NBC Sports Films will annually produce multiple long-form projects to be presented across NBC, NBCSN, NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Digital.
NBC Sports Films’ first project, Center of Attention: The Unreal Life of Derek Sanderson, a one-hour documentary that chronicles the remarkable life of former NHL star and two-time Stanley Cup Champion Derek Sanderson, will premiere on NBCSN on Monday, June 8, following Game 3 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.
“Storytelling has always been a prominent component of NBC Sports’ coverage of signature events. We are excited to expand those efforts and further serve our audience by providing additional long-form content across all NBC Sports Group platforms,” said Mark Levy, Senior Vice President, Original Productions and Creative, NBC Sports Group. “Our debut film, Center of Attention, is a compelling portrait of the extraordinary life of Derek Sanderson, who has lived the highest of highs and the most challenging lows a life in the spotlight can produce.”
Narrated by Boston native, Primetime Emmy Award-nominee and star of Mad Men John Slattery, Center of Attention follows Sanderson’s journey from humble beginnings, to becoming the highest paid athlete of his time, only to eventually end up homeless, broke and addicted to drugs and alcohol. Through interviews with former teammates, coaches, friends, rivals, and Sanderson himself, viewers get an inside look into his eccentric and reckless life that ultimately features a fourth act fitting of a Hollywood screenplay, as Sanderson is able to get clean and become a respected financial adviser for top athletes.
In his book Crossing The Line, Sanderson said of his life: “In the span of an extraordinary life, I made the National Hockey League, won two Stanley Cup championships, became a trendsetter, gained celebrity status, became a millionaire, descended into addiction, was homeless, almost died, asked for salvation, kicked booze, drugs and cigarettes, climbed back from the wreckage, met an amazing woman who gave us two great sons, taught kids about the evils of addiction, was a broadcaster and now advise athletes about their finances. That’s a lot to pack into one life!”
Center of Attention features interviews with eight members of the Hockey Hall of Fame, including Sanderson’s teammates Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Rod Gilbert, Gerry Cheevers Brad Park, Bernie Parent and coaches Harry Sinden and Emile Francis.
In the glory days of his playing career, Sanderson was a national sensation. He won the Calder Trophy, as the NHL’s top rookie in 1967-68, and was a two-time Stanley Cup champion before his 26th birthday. Off the ice, the man known as “Turk” was an iconoclast who went into the nightclub business with Joe Namath, was regularly seen with beautiful women, drove around town in a Rolls Royce, and was quoted as saying his pregame meal was “a steak and a blonde.”
In 1972, Sanderson left the Bruins and the NHL to sign with the Philadelphia Blazers of the World Hockey Association. His $2.65 million contract made Sanderson the highest-paid professional athlete in the world at the time, but within months, poor play, a back injury and his lavish contract led the Blazers’ owners to buy out Sanderson’s deal for $1 million.
At age 27, after making it back to the NHL, Sanderson’s drinking increased and he developed an addiction to drugs. Sanderson ended up broke and homeless, at one point sleeping on a bench in New York City’s Central Park. By 1978, when he was 32, his hockey career was over.
In 1980, after more than a dozen trips to rehab, Sanderson was able to get clean and start a new life. He was hired by then Mayor of Boston Ray Flynn to serve as a drug and alcohol awareness speaker at Boston area schools, worked as a lead television analyst for the Boston Bruins, became a financial adviser, and started a sports group to help protect athletes from themselves and from those who could take advantage of them.
ABOUT NBC SPORTS FILMS
Formed in 2015, NBC Sports Films produces sports documentaries that air across NBC Sports Group’s multiple platforms. NBC Sports Films, a division of NBC Sports Group, will annually produce multiple long-form projects to be presented across NBC, NBCSN, NBC Sports Regional Networks and NBC Sports Digital. NBC Sports Films’ debut project, Center of Attention: The Unreal Life of Derek Sanderson, will premiere on Monday, June 8, following Game 3 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–
Day 34 – New York Rangers Host Tampa Bay Lightning Tonight At 8 P.M. ET on NBCSN
Game 2 – Eastern Conference Final – Lightning-Rangers – Tonight at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN – Rangers Lead 1-0
Tonight’s Coverage Begins with NHL Live at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN
Game 1 Conference Final Matchups on NBC Post Record Ratings in Tampa, New York and Los Angeles
Western Conference Final Continues Tomorrow with Game 2 of Blackhawks-Ducks at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN – Ducks Lead 1-0
STAMFORD, Conn. – May 18, 2015 – NBC Sports Group’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs continues tonight with Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN, when Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers host Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tonight’s coverage starts at 7 p.m. ET with NHL Live, featuring host Liam McHugh alongside analysts and former players Mike Milbury and Keith Jones, leading into live game coverage from Madison Square Garden in New York. NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will provide streaming coverage of tonight’s Eastern Conference Final matchup.
The Rangers took Game 1 of the series with a 2-1 victory over the Lightning on Saturday afternoon on NBC, as Dominic Moore scored his first goal of the postseason with 2:25 left in regulation to snap a 1-1 tie. Lundqvist stopped 23 of 24 shots in the win, which marked the seventh time the Rangers had won by a score of 2-1 in the 2015 postseason.
Three-time Emmy Award-winning play-by-play commentator and Sports Illustrated 2014 Media Person of the Year Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member and analyst Eddie Olczyk, and Emmy Award-winning Inside-the-Glass analyst Pierre McGuire will have the call from Madison Square Garden in New York.
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“NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage, plus information and highlights. The Pass will be published weekdays to preview that evening’s games. Friday editions will include weekend information.
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For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.
THE PASS – MONDAY, MAY 18 (All times ET)
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MONDAY, MAY 18 |
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| Time | Coverage | Network | Commentators |
| 7 p.m. | NHL Live | NBCSN | Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury, Keith Jones |
| 8 p.m. | Game 2 – Tampa Bay at N.Y. Rangers | NBCSN | Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, Eddie Olczyk, Pierre McGuire |
GAME 1 CONFERENCE FINAL MATCHUPS ON NBC POST RECORD RATINGS IN TAMPA, NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES
This weekend’s Game 1 presentations of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals on NBC produced record ratings in the Tampa, New York and Los Angeles markets.
The Rangers’ 2-1 win over the Lightning on Saturday (1-3:45 p.m. ET) delivered a 7.4 rating in Tampa, making it the highest-rated Lightning game ever on NBC in the market, up 42% from Game 7 of the Lightning-Bruins Eastern Conference Final matchup in 2011 (5.2). In addition, the game produced a 5.7 rating in New York, setting the mark for the highest-rated Conference Final game ever on NBC in New York featuring the Rangers, up 78% from last year’s Game 1 against Montreal on NBC (3.2).
The Ducks’ 4-1 victory over the Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon (3-6 p.m. ET) delivered a 2.4 rating in Los Angeles, setting the record for the highest-rated Conference Final game ever on NBC in Los Angeles featuring the Ducks. Nationally, the Lightning-Rangers game on Saturday delivered a 1.68 overnight rating, while the Blackhawks-Ducks game on Sunday produced a 1.70 overnight rating.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL GAME 2 – BLACKHAWKS-DUCKS – TOMORROW AT 9 P.M. ET ON NBCSN – DUCKS LEAD 1-0
The Blackhawks and Ducks face off in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final tomorrow night at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN, as Chicago looks for a win to even the series heading back to the Windy City. Anaheim took Game 1 by a score of 4-1 on Sunday afternoon on NBC, as Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen made 32 saves in the win. Anaheim has now won nine of its 10 games in the 2015 postseason, following a first-round sweep of Winnipeg and a five-game series victory over Calgary in the second round.
Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Joe Micheletti (analyst) and Brian Engblom (Inside-the-Glass analyst) will call the action from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR
For the fourth consecutive year, NBC, NBCSN, USA Network, CNBC and NHL Network are combining to televise every Stanley Cup Playoff game nationally.
| Network | Games |
| NBC | 11 |
| NBCSN | 41 |
| USA Network | 8 |
| CNBC | 10 |
| NHL-N | 1 |
| Total | 71 |
One-goal Games: 38
OT games: 15
COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL COVERAGE
Comprehensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be provided daily via NBC Sports Regional Networks, available in more than 50 million U.S. households. Comcast SportsNet Chicago will provide the hometown fans of the Chicago Blackhawks with comprehensive coverage throughout their Stanley Cup Playoff run, including pre- and post-game shows and extensive on-line coverage via Comcast SportsNet’s team of NHL Insiders.
NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA COVERAGE
NBC Sports Live Extra – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets – will stream comprehensive coverage of games airing on NBC, NBCSN, USA Network and CNBC via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Windows Store.
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